Japanese Bilingual Internal Auditor (Experienced)

Position Title: Japanese Bilingual Internal Auditor (Experienced)

Location: Western suburbs of Chicago, DuPage County, IL (Onsite, 5 days per week)

Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Work Schedules: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Travel 1 to 2 times per month (domestic and international, including Japan and Canada) and occasional evening calls with Japan (Chicago time), about 1 to 2 times per month.

Summary

A well-established company in North America that is part of a Japan-based group is seeking a Senior Internal Auditor to lead audits and strengthen its internal control environment. The role reports directly to the President and works closely with senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and the parent organization in Japan.

This position is designed for a seasoned audit professional who can run audits on their own, from scoping through final reporting, and who is comfortable presenting findings to management. A Big 4 or multinational background and SOX/J-SOX experience are highly valued. The new hire will join a small, collaborative audit team and help raise the quality and impact of the overall program. The company supports professional development, including the CIA credential, and relocation assistance may be considered for the right candidate.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead risk-based audits independently, including scoping, planning, fieldwork, and final reporting.
• Evaluate the design and effectiveness of internal controls and SOX/J-SOX compliance across the organization.
• Present audit results and recommendations to the President, the Board of Directors, shareholders, and the parent company in Japan.
• Advise department leaders on control improvements and hold them accountable for corrective actions.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors.
• Contribute to the annual risk assessment and the internal audit plan.
• Review regulatory and compliance changes and recommend updates to policies and procedures.
• Share knowledge with teammates and help improve audit methods and documentation standards.
• Communicate in Japanese with the parent company, including occasional evening calls.
• Travel 1 to 2 times per month to domestic and international sites, including Japan and Canada.
• Complete other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• 4+ years of internal audit or external audit experience, or an active CPA or CIA certification with relevant audit experience.
• Proven ability to run audits independently from planning through reporting.
• Solid SOX/J-SOX experience.
• Experience presenting audit findings to management.
• Native or near-native Japanese (spoken and written) and business-level English or higher.
• Strong judgment, analytical, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work onsite 5 days per week, travel 1 to 2 times per month (including internationally), and join occasional evening calls.
• Comfort working at a computer for extended periods, with occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling.
• Authorization to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred:

• Big 4 or multinational company background.
• CPA, CIA, or CISA certification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience reporting to a Japanese parent company or Board of Directors.
• Current residence in the Chicago area.